Thermostatic valve.



G'. 1. WBNTZ.

THERMOSTATIG VALVE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 29, 1912.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

WITNESSFS ATTORNEYv G. P. WENTZ.

THBRMOSTATIG VALVE.

K APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 29, 1912.

1,088,193. Patented Feb.24,191

2 sums-snm z.

WITNESSES l ATTORNEY {f/5. INVENfOR,

'UNrrED STATES vieAiLEivr OFFICE.;

GEORGE' r. wENTz, or CLEVELAND, oHio, AssIGNoB., :BYDIRECT AND. iansNE assiGN MENTS, 'ro THE wENTz YoDEE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, ori'ro.

i A CORPORATIEON OF OHIO.

rEERiviosrA'rIc VALVE.

Specicationof Letters Patent.

Patented Een'. aa, i914..

Application lled J une 29, 191.2. rial No. 706.72.27/

useful Thermostatic Valve7 of which the following is a. specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in theriiiostatic valves, and its object is to provide a valve for the control of fuel, particularly gaseous fuel, whereby the heat generated may be automatically controlled within very narrow limits.`

The valve is designed more particularly for use in connection with steam generators where gas is used as fuel, and the heat of the water or steam is employed as the controlling ageiit for operating the valve structure, while in the valve of the present invention vthe use of springs and other structures liable to get out of order or to become clogged or otherwise rendered useless vis avoided. f

The thermostatic portion of the present invention comprises two elements ofdifferent thermo expansibility and preferably one of the elements is. responsive to heat to a minimum extent, while the other element approaches the maximum. wherefore the responsiveness of the device to changes in heat is due almost entirely to the response of one of the thermostatic elements. The movement thus brought aboutis transmitted through a system of levers operating solely by gravity in those movements which tend to cut off the supply of gas to the burner, the arrangement being such that the valve will respond to a very few degrees change in heat or a very few pounds diiference iii steam pressure as exhibited' in changes in heat from full open to full closed position. Furthermore, the port controlling member of the valve is so arranged that the liability' of lodgment of particles of dirt or othei' matter upon a valve seat is practically m7.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description taken in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the further understanding that while n the drawings there are shown different practical forms which the invention may assume, it is susceptible of lother practical embodiments,v

wherefore the invention is not confined to any strictI conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modi- `lied within such limits which do not mark a material departure from the salient fea tures of the invention.

`In the drawings :--Figure 1 is a side elevation of 'a structure embodyinfr the present invention. Fig. -2 is a longitu inal central Referring to the drawings, there is shown a body member 1 which may be in the form of a casting of suitable material, such asy` brass or iron, and4 this body member has an internal chamber 2'closed at onel end by a head 3 and at the other end normally closed by a screwl plug 4, this plug providin 'means f or ready access to the chamber 2 w eny (iesired. On opposite sides of the 'chamber 2f vare necks 5 and 6, respectively, designed to receive pipes 7, 8, through whichthe fuel 1s directed, such fuel being customarily gas, entering one of the pipes and. flowing out through the other, the outflow being toward the burner which is employed to furnish heat to what inthe particular instance under consideration may be assumed to be water to be converted into steam, it being further assumed that the device is attached to a steam generator of any appropriate type. For the purpose of' securing the device to a steam generator the head is provided With an axial neck 9 eXteriorly threaded, and entering this neck in axial alinerneiit 'therewith is a tube 10 opening at one end into the chamber 2 and closed at the other:u

end, as indicated at 1l. What ever be the material of which the body l is composed, the tube 10 is made of some material having a considerable degree of expansibility under the action of heat. and it' may be stated that copper answers the purpose of the present invention, although other materials may be used. Lodged within the tubev is a rod l12 preferably of a material responding so slightly to the action of heat yposes vof the present inventionaoTo protect the .ends of the rod-12 from liability of injury one end is provided with a 13 and the other end with a metallic cap 14,

metallic cap the' latter being provided With an exterior pocket 15 for a purpose which will presently` appear. The tube lOmay be secured to the neck 9 in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by soldering, since the heat to which the device is .subjected is not high enough to materially affect a solder joint. K

Where the neck 5 joins the body 1 there is provided a web 16`formed at its middle portion ivith'a passage 17 about which there is formed a circular flange 18 'entering the neck 5 for a distance and constituting a seat for a valve 19,fthe latter in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3 being a ball valve. This valve 19 may be so related to the pipe 7 that the latter Will act as a cage preventing too ,great a displacement thereof, While the portion of the neck entered by the pipe 7 is of suliiciently large diameter to permit the introduction of the valve when the pipe 7 is not present. l 1 j r`VVithin the chamber 2 is a lever 20 of comparatively massive proportions, and

mounted on a pin 2l as a pivot or fulcrnm,

this pin being carried by the body 1.A The pin 21 is locatedclose to one end-of the lever, so that there is a great preponderance Aof weight with respect to the longer 'armv of the lever, this Weight-being far in excess of any resistance to the movement. of the lever underthe action of gravity .which might be presented to such. movement by corrosion ofthe pin 21 or the body' of the lever where surrounding the pin, or at any other point Where a resistance to movement. of the lever is'not purposely present. EXL

tending longitudinally through the lever 20 to one side of the pivot pin`21'is ascrew. having an end 23 extending, through and beyond the shorterarm' of the lever.and en-v tering the pocket 15 so that the rod 12 acts to maintain the lever 20 in an approximately horizontal position when the device is iln use7 the shape of the lever 2O and the disposition of the pivot pin 21 and screw 22 being such as to constitute the lever 20 a bell crank lever Witl'r a longer arm of greatly preponderant weight. Mounted on the longer arm of the lever 20 is another lever 24' which may be in the form of a plate having an offsetting ear 25 on one side enteringa suitable recess `26 in the lever 20 and connected to the latter by a pivot pin 27. The lever 24 is of the third order with one arm longer than the other and the longer arm e.:tending above the lever 20, when in' operative position, toward the pivot pin 21. Near the free end of the longer arm of the. lever 24 there is secured a pin 2S in position to enter the passage 17 and engage the ball valve 19 under circumstances to be described. Extending through the body 1 is .a setscrevv 29 so located us to be in the path of that end of the lever 24 remote from the pin 28, and this set screw, which serves as an `adjustable or 'variable fulcrum, is provided vvith a lock nu(J 30 for holdlng it in adjusted positions.

Extending through the neck 5 which may be provided with a boss 31 for the purpose, is a. screw 32 having a taper point constituting a valve adapted to a valve seat 34. through which communication may be had betiveen the chamber 2 and the interior of the neck 5. FormedV in the neck 5 is a passage 35 suitably tapped for the reception of pipe 36 which may be continued to a pilot flame if such be desired. The valve screw 32 is designed to provide for the feeding of :i pilot flame when the valve 1.9 is in the closed position.

`Let it be assumed that the device so far described is installed on a steam boiler with the pipe 10 either entering water within the 95 boiler or the steam chamber within the boiler. While the parts are cold and the pipe or tube 1() is in the contracted position theset screvv.29, which may be initially set to cause the opening of the .valve 19 is ma nipula-ted until the gas llame at the burner is cut down by the closing of the valve 19 until 4fed only by the pilot llame determined by the degree of opening of. the valve end 33 of the lvalve screw 32 with relation to the valve seat 34. Now the screw 29 is turned sufficiently to cause the opening of vthe valve 19-to provide the full feed ot gas to the burner and the screw 29 is then locked in such position by the lock nut 30 to prevent accidental displacement. As the heat of the Water or steam increases the tube 10 is elongated and the preponderance of weight orf the lever 20 isiamply suicient to cause the 'rod 12 tofolloiv up theA tube 10 as .it elonxgates. The long end of the lever 24 not only by its own weight, but because. olf the Weight of the valve'19,-Will tend. to approach the lever 2O as the long end of the latter drops and the other end oftlieflever 2d tends'to moveaway from the stop screw 29, therocking of the lever 24C under the circumstances just mentioned7 however, maintaining cngagementof the short end of thelever 24 With the screw or fulcrnm 29. The increas ing length of the pipe or-tube l0 will cause a Corrtsponding movemento the lever 20 un- (ls'r the action of gravity until ultimately fthe valve 19 seats on the upper end of the flange 1S, thus cutting ot the supply of gas to the burner except that furnished through the pilot valve 32. In practice, however, the entire cutting ofi of the gas supply except through the pilot valve need not occur, but

comparatively minute variations in heat will be taken care of by the device described. Sometimes the rods 12 may become broken, or they may vary in different' valves, or again, when a broken rod is replaced by an unbroken one the latter may not be of the same length as the one it replaces. 4Such variations are readily taken care of by the screw so that the gravity lever 2O -may be adjusted to the best position for operation.

1t will be observed that springs are entirely eliminated and their variations under diiierent circumstances are avoided. The gravity lever with its supplemental lever Q4 producing,- thereby a compound lever is sensibly constant in action and may be readily made of such preponderant nature that it will overcome all accidental forces or conditions tending to prevent its proper operation.

The valve seat formed by the 'flange 18 is elevated above the web 16 and thevalve 19 laterally overhangs this valve seat, so that the liability of interfering particles lodging.

on the valve seat is reduced to a negligible minimum. Furthermore, the interior of the valve body or casing is readily accessible and adjustments may be madewith the.

greatest facility.

The structure of Fig. 6 is in part the same as the structure already described and the same reference numerals are employed wherever applicable. The structure of Fig. diii'ers from that ot Fig. 1 and associated figures in the provision of a multiple lever ii'istead of a coni-pound lever of two coacting elements. instead of aineck 5 the structure of Fig. 6 is provided with a longer neck 5a and within the neck there is formed an eX- tension 9.a ot the chamber 2. In this chaniher Q there is' mounted lever 37 supported near one end ot a pivot pin 38 extending through the neck 5:L above the pivot pin 21 ol the lever 20 and also at a point higher than the longer end of the lever 24. Adjacent the pivot pin 3S the' lever 37 carries a roller and at the end of the lever 37 reinote from the pivot pin 38 the lever carries a pivot pin 4() traversing an earv41 offset from a lever 42 having a shorter arm 43 in the path of a set screw 44 entering the neck 5 and accessible from the exterior thereof and provided with a lock nut 4t2. .Vithin the neck 5 there Jformed a web 161 having a central passage 1?"1 surrounded by an up Hstandinp flange 18a at the upper end of whim?"v there is formed a seat for valve 1S having' its edges in overhai'iging relation to l valve seat. rlhis valve is traversed by a stern i6 fast thereto and connected hy i.. 4'.' to the longer end. of the lever said link extending through the passage 17 A set screw 4S is located in position to engage the shorter end of the lever 24 and is mounted in an appropriate portion of the neck 5a and is accessible from the exterior oi the neck for manipulation. The set screw 48 operates as does the set screw 29 in the form shown in Fig. 1. While in the structure shown in Fig. 6 no pilot valve is disclosed, it will be understood that the pilot valve is assumed to be present.

The operation. of the structure shown in Fig. 6 is in effect similar to the operation already described with relation to F ig'. 1 and associa-ted figures, adjustments beiner accomplished by the set screws 44 and 48, the final adjustment being brought about by the set screw 44 which performs a function similar to the set screw 29 of the form shown in, Fig'. 1. The structure shown. in F ig. G is responsive to far 'less variations in moven ment of the tube 1() than is the case in the structure shown in Fig'. 1, the multiple lever system ot' Fig. 6. in practice increasing the movement of the tube 10 by about ifty times at the valve 19a which is four or five times the multiplication of movement brought about by the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Aside from the greater sensitiveness of the structure of F ig'. G over a structure of Fig'. 1 and associated figures the various -advantagcs inherent in the structure of Fig. 1 are present in the structure of Fig. 6. The form of thermostatic regulator illustrated in Fig. 1 and associated figures in its practical embodiments causes a movement of the valve from full open to full shut on an eX- pansion of the length of the tube 10 of about oneeightieth of `an inch, while the more sensitive structure shown in Fig. 6 responds to a change in pressure represented by a corresponding' change in temperature of but a very few pounds, say one or two pounds, or a close approach thereto.

'What is claimed is 1. ln a thermostatie valve, a thermostat a valve member movable to open and closed positions, and a motion multiplying' lever comprising'a pln 1ality of elements one carried wholly by the other, one of the elements being` engaged by the thermostat and the other actingl on ,the valve and both movable solely by Agravity toward the position causing;- the closing' of the valve.

2. 'In a thermostatic valve, a thermostat,

a movable valve member for opening' and vcruml of' the 'first named lever, means be` tween.y the long` end of the second named le-j ver and the valve member for moving the latter to open and close the passage through the valve structure, and stop means in the path of the second leverieonstituting a fnlcrum therefor, the first named lever being provided with adjusting means for accommodating it to mechanical vvariations in the thermostat.

4. In a thermostatic valve structure, a`

chambered body member, a thermostat carried thereby and opening into the chamber, a-lever of the firstprder mounted in said chamber, another lever of the third order carried by the longer arm ofthe first named lever, a port controlling valve member carvried by the valve structure, means controlled by the longer arm of.- the second named lever for closing o r opening the valve member, and an adjustablefulerum' in the path ot" the second named lever and carried by the body member.

5. In a vthermostatic valve structure, a vchambered body member, a thermostat carried thereby and opening into the chamber.`

a leverof the first ordermounted in' said chamber, another lever of. the third order carried by the longer arm of the first named lever. a YJort con'trolliligl valve member carrred by the valve structure, means controlled by the longer arm of the' second named lever n for causing the opening'and closing of the valve member, and an adjustable fulcrum.

`inthe path of the second named lever and carried by and exposed for-accessn the exterior of the body member, the first named" lever being provided with an adjusting screwfor engaging the thermostat to accommodate the lever to mechanical variations in the thermostat.

6. A -thermostatic valve comprising a ehambe'red body member having a passage therethrough for fuel and a removable valve member-controlling said passage, athermostat' carried by 'the bodymember, a remov- .able member for closing'the chambered por-A tion of the body member, a lever of the lfirst order Within Ithe chamber and accessibleon the removal of the closure fon the chamber, another lever of the third order" carried by the longg4 arm of the first named lever-.and'having a long arm extending to- Ward the fulcruni of thev first named lever, means between the long 'arm of the second named'lever and the movable valve member for controlling the latter, and relatively fixed means in the path of that end of the Vsecond named lever remote. 'from the valve controlling "end thereof for causing said lever to' rock on its pivot support on the first named lever.

7. In. a. thermostatic valve structure, a thermostat, af movableyvalve member for controlling the passage of fluid through the valve structure, and a compound lever ol which one member wholly carries another member, the carrying member being under the control of the thermostat und the car ried member in turn operating to control the movable valve member. v

8.' In a thermostatic valve, a thermostat,

positions, a motion multiplying `compound lever comprising a plurality of elements, of which one is carried wholly by the other thermostat and the other element having connections acting on the valve, and an avljnstable fnlcrnin for a member of the com pound lever.

9. In a thermostatic valve structure, a

fiow of inid lhroughthe valve structure, a thermostat carried by the valvc structure, and a compound lever having one member wholly carrying another member and in turn engaged by the thermostat for actuation thereby and a motion multiplying connection between the compound lever' and the .movable valve member.

l' 10. ln a fhermostaiie valve structure, a movable valve member for controlling the `g*filon7 of fluid through the valve structure, a `thermostat carried oy-the valve structure, Compound lever having one member whollyr carrying another member and in turn engaged by the thermostat for actua lion there- 'by and a. motion multiplying connect-ion be tween the second lever member` and the moui able valve member, said motion multiplying connection vcomprising a compound lever having one member wholly carried by an other member. .y

ll? In thermostatic valve structure, a 4 movable valve member, afftheijmestat, a lever controlled by the thermostat'anrl havirw one end enlarged to canse a movement oli the lever in one direction ulrolly by gravity, another lever ,mounted 'on the first named of cneend ofthe second lever, a third lever in the path of Athe second lever,` a fourth lever carried by the third` lever, a'relatively fixed member in `the path of the fourth lever, and connections b'elmeen the folirth lever and the movable member oi the valve.

12. ln a lhermostatic valve structure, a. movable val ve member, a thermostat, a. lever controlled by the thermostat-and having one a valve member-movable to open and closedv with one of the elements engaged by theA movable valve member -for controlling the.

lever, a relatively fixed member inthe path las e fl emerged to esi-use a movement of the in, theiath of thevsecond-lever, a 4fourth lever carried by the third lever, a relatively lined member "1n the path' of thev fourth lever, and connections between the fourth lever andthe movable member of the Valve," 'the relatively ixed members in the paths of -V the second end fourth levers 'being mounted y .ver Vin one .direction Wholly by gravity,'

lever-mounted on -the rst named .-feJe/r, e relatively lfixedmember inthe path v@tti-zone end of vthe second lever, a third lever "for adjustment and the rst named lever being provided with an adjustable ineens' for `adaptingthe rst named lever to mechanical derenoes in thermostatic elements.

In testimony, that Lela-im' the foregoing as my own, Iyh'av'e hereto eixedmy signature inthe presence of two Witnesses.V 

